Paulinho’s Barcelona switch unlikely due to new Chinese Super League player tax rules, says Guangzhou Evergrande boss Luiz Felipe Scolari
Brazilian midfielder admits Spanish side have made an offer, but new player tax rules in China designed to limit foreign signings complicate any potential deal
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admits China’s new tax on foreign players means Guangzhou Evergrande will likely resist a bid from Spanish side Barcelona for Brazilian midfielder Paulinho – because the Super League leaders will struggle to afford a suitable replacement.
Paulinho has thrived in China after signing a four-year contract with Guangzhou in June 2015 following a €14 million (HK$122m) switch from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
The 28-year-old is now also a key member in the Brazil squad, and his exploits have caught the attentions of the Spanish giants, with Paulinho admitting in an interview with Brazilian publication Globo Esporte that Barcelona have made an offer.
But after Chinese officials introduced a tax on foreign signings which effectively doubles the price of any player, Guangzhou would be reluctant to part company with their influential midfielder midway through the season.
Scolari’s side are top of the Super League (CSL) and in the quarter-finals of both the AFC Champions League (ACL) and FA Cup.
“His release clause costs 40 million euros and none of the Chinese clubs will let their key players go now because it would be difficult and expensive to find a replacement due to the new rules,” said Scolari.